Division of Environmental Analysis

What's New

Chapter 7: Built-Environment Cultural Resources Evaluation and Treatment and Exhibit 2.17: Excess Property Transfers and Route Relinquishments have been updated to include the Caltrans procedures that implement the January 2015 PRC 5024 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Caltrans and the State Historic Preservation Officer for built-environment state-owned resources. Exhibit 2.17 focuses on the procedures for complying with the PRC 5024 MOU when Caltrans transfers or relinquishes State-owned historical resources out of its ownership.

The Division of Environmental Analysis has posted a new policy memorandum, “Begin Environmental Studies Milestone for Environmental Tracking Databases” (Katrina Pierce, June 23, 2015). This policy memo requires that each District use an Environmental Study Request (ESR) that includes the signature of the Senior Environmental Planner or designee. The date that the ESR is signed by the Senior Environmental Planner shall be the “Begin Environmental Studies” date entered into any environmental tracking databases. A sample ESR has also been posted.

On June 17, 2015, Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty signed the formal request to the FHWA for renewal of the 23 USC 327 NEPA Assignment MOU, pursuant to 23 CFR 773.115. Later this year, the FHWA will provide Federal Register notification, formally soliciting public comment. The renewal request letter can be found on the MOU page.

The Environmental Management Office (EMO) has updated and re-organized its internet pages. Please go to the EMO Homepage to see the changes.

DEA has posted a new Sample Environmental Commitments Record (ECR) which can be found on the SER Forms and Templates page. This sample ECR has a new “field” for listing mitigation that is required for significant impacts under CEQA, which should be called out separately from other avoidance, minimization, and/or mitigation measures. Although Districts are free to continue using the form of their choice for recording environmental commitments, mitigation measures for significant impacts under CEQA need to be listed separately, regardless of the form that is used. Chapter 39 of the SER has also been updated.

Chapters 2 “State Requirements” and 28 “Cultural Resources” of the SER have been updated to include reference to Governor’s Executive Order B-10-11, the new PRC 5024 MOU, and to provide guidance on Assembly Bill 52 which amended CEQA to identify a “Tribal Cultural Resource” as a new, separate, and distinct resource to be analyzed under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Volume 2 of the SER had been updated to reflect the new Memorandum of Understanding Between the California Department of Transportation and the California State Historic Preservation Officer Regarding Compliance with Public Resources Code 5024 and Governor's Executive Order W-26-92 (PRC 5024 MOU) that went into effect January 1, 2015.

SER Chapters 30 and 38 have been updated to be consistent with the new CE Checklist.

The Environmental Management Office has updated Chapter 23 (Farmlands) in Volume 1 of the SER. It includes updated farmland definitions, an updated flow chart, more information on completing NRCS Forms CPA-106 and Form AD-1006, and additional information on Williamson Act coordination with the California Department of Conservation. Additionally, both the CPA-106 and the Form AD-1006 have been added to the SER Forms and Templates page.

The Environmental Management Office has updated the Air Quality Conformity Findings Checklist to include a hyperlink that provides additional information on applicable PM control measures and to clarify the conformity documentation required for the project file.

The Division of Environmental Analysis has updated the CTC Submittal page to provide updated instructions on CTC submittals when Caltrans is the CEQA Lead Agency and to provide the 2015 submittal due dates.

The CE Checklist has been updated to include four new Categorical Exclusions under 23 CFR 771.117(c), three CEs that have been moved FROM the “d list” TO the “c list, and one new Categorical Exclusion under 23 CFR 771.117(d). These CEs are effective 11-05-2014.

Air Quality Issues

Biological Resources Issues

Caltrans evaluates the effects of its projects on the natural environment, and conducts research related to fairy shrimp, vernal pools, and the potential aquatic toxicity of asphaltic materials. . . more

Cultural Resource Studies

Investigations for archaeological, architectural, and historical resources is part of the project delivery process. Learn more, and access our publications, and more . . . more

Environmental GIS Portal

GIS applications alongwith the pdf and video tutorials of the applications can be found here. . . more

Environmental Management Office (EMO)

Hazardous Waste Management

Information for site contractors, who to contact for more information . . . more

Native American Issues

Caltrans works with Native Americans to ensure that culturally-significant issues are addressed during project delivery. Caltrans also maintains government-to-government relations with tribes . . . more

National Environmental Policy Act Assignment

California is now responsible for FHWA's responsibilities under NEPA and other environmental laws for most highway projects in the state. . . more

Noise and Vibration Studies

Paleontological Resources Program

DEA's Paleontological Resources Program develops policy and provides technical and statutory information, guidance documents, and specifications to assist the Districts/Regions with the identification, evaluation, and mitigation . . . more

StormWater Program

Find out the latest information about Caltrans dynamic and intensive statewide program to prevent stormwater pollution on highways and . . . more

Training on Demand

On-line training on a variety of environmental topics can be found here. . . more